Ancient Egyptian women had many legal rights compared to women of other ancient societies. In the city-states of Ancient Greece, for example, a woman had to be represented by her father, brother, or husband in court, and couldn’t legally speak for herself. In the Roman Republic, a woman was legally subject to her husband’s power […]
What Are Bluestockings? The Movement, Origins, and Insult
A “bluestocking” generally refers to an educated woman with intellectual, especially literary, interests, but the term has changed quite a bit over time. More specifically, it can also refer to women who were members of an 18th century literary group called the Blue Stockings Society. After the decline of the Blue Stockings Society, the term […]
Constance Fenimore Woolson, Successful American Novelist
The author Constance Fenimore Woolson (1840-1894), who wrote five novels for adults and dozens of stories, was widely considered during her lifetime one of the most important American fiction writers of the nineteenth century. While Woolson may not be a household name today, she is a bit of a novelty for students of American literature […]
The Japanese Women’s Suffrage Movement (Real Facts)
As Japan’s contact with the Western world increased beginning in the 1850s, the new Meiji era government worried about Japan’s image in the eyes of Westerners. It began regulating the behavior of citizens in an effort to appear more modern and civilized in the eyes of Westerners, and be seen as an equal nation. As […]
4 Famous Black Women Mathematicians in History
For most of history, women of all races have been shut out of the most prestigious universities and colleges. Only in the past couple of centuries have women begun to attend the same schools as men, with many of the most prestigious universities excluding women until well into the 21st century. Black women, who have […]
The Life and Artistry of Patti Smith
Patti Smith is an American singer-songwriter, author, and poet widely known as one of the founders and most influential artists in the burgeoning 1970s New York City punk rock movement. Her debut album Horses, with its fusion of spoken poetry and punk rock avant-garde, chronicles both her personal experiences as a female artist and musician […]
Sirimavo Bandaranaike: The First Female Prime Minister in the World
Ask anyone what they know about Sri Lanka and chances are, they may tell you that it’s the source of some of the world’s best tea. You may also hear that the country is famous for its love of cricket and for its stunning landscapes and scenery. But you will rarely, if ever hear, that […]
Anita Berber: The Naked Dancer of Weimar Berlin
Anita Berber was a pioneering and controversial dancer from Germany. She had an eventful life, finding success on stage and screen (not to mention in her love life) during the Great War before ultimately meeting her end too soon. A Stormy Background It is something of a convention, when talking about a notorious celebrity of […]
Drowned in History: Malay’s Earliest Known Feminist Writer
Most people don’t know the existence of Raja Aisyah Sulaiman, yet if people were prompted with the question of writers that preached feminism in their works, a daring Southeast Asian woman would most likely not be the first person to run in your mind. Raja Aisyah is praised today by literature scholars for having progressive […]
The Warrior Queen Chand Bibi
Every empire in the pages of history has witnessed female warriors who wielded weapons against their enemies. These “warrior queens” proved to be mighty heroines and acts as an inspiration to all the women in the world. But not many remember these heroines from the past and their legacy is often forgotten. The vast civilization […]